We both need the points

Carl Dickinson says a chat amongst the squad has helped spark a good run of form during the past month.

Notts had suffered three defeats in four games from late January into mid-February but have lost just one of their last seven league outings to remain firmly in the race for the automatic promotion places.

And the 30-year-old revealed a back-to-basics approach has reaped rewards for the Magpies.

"We had a couple of bad results so we had a chat between all of us and said let's go back to basics and what we are about," he said.

"From there, we have seen improved performances and results.

"We know what we are good at and if we do those things properly at Chesterfield we should come away with a good performance and a win.

"We both need the points on Sunday," he added. "We're fighting for promotion at one end and they're scrapping against relegation at the other so we are under no illusions as to how tough it is going to be.

"There's no way we will take them for granted because we haven't done that at any point this season. We take each game as it comes and prepare properly."

Dickinson has been the favoured left back for manager Kevin Nolan in recent weeks and the defender is determined to maintain his good form to ensure the boss has no choice but to keep picking him in the team.

"I'm enjoying being back in the team again and I think I've been doing really well," he said.

"But I've only been back in for the last four games. I need to make sure I finish the last eight games as well as I can. I try and give everything every day.

"It's always nice when you are getting results and you're on an unbeaten run but I have to keep my head down in training, work as hard as I can and put in the performances in games to ensure I keep hold of the shirt."